Monday, June 07, 2010

As I near my 600th post (uh huh!), sometimes I feel like I'm doing it all wrong according to "them". Who are them they? They range from blogging experts to readers/commenters to the voices in my head. Over the next week or so, I'm going to ask for your input on ways I'm doing it wrong. I'd like some conversation!

Mistake #1: PicturesApparently, all posts should contain pictures. This is key to attracting reader interest.

Now, I don't often do this. If the image is unique/mine (like my flower last Friday) or if it helps make a point or a funny (bad grad gifts), I'll throw in a picture.

However, I don't generally throw in stock photography just because they say I should have a photo of some sort. I figure if I'm talking about being stung by a bee, a relevant image would be the swelling on my arm but there's no point in including a random photo of a bee - I assume my readers are smart enough to know what a bee looks like.

Now, I realize that maybe an image would hint at the content of the post without having to read any words, so maybe I'm short-changing myself. Maybe that picture of a bee would increase readership. If that's the conclusion this conversation comes to, I'm willing to change my ways.

Personally, I'm more drawn in by words than by a photo of some random stock images but a photo taken by the writer can be a powerful lure as well. How important are images in persuading you to read a post? Does it matter if they're unique images or photos? In your own blogging, what's your photo philosophy?

18 comments:

This is a tough one. I enjoy one or two pics in a post. I don't generally want LOTS of photos though I sometimes do that myself! I don't think photos are necessary to make a post interesting or readable. I'm not a huge fan of having stock photos in a post, usually.

When I am reading someone elses blog it doesn't matter to me if there is a picture of graphic if the blog is one that I enjoy reading. Some people are so good at writing that is what draws me. Of course there are photography blogs and those are more about the pictures.

Part of the enjoyment of reading are the images that comes to mind when your reading a good story. Kind of like how a movie can ruin a really good book, I prefer no pictures unless it's necessary to make a point or for fun.

I've got nothing against photos, and have people who sort photos for me that I can post (mostly photos of my own). But words are better for me. Even when I could still see photos I was more interested in what people had to say than what photo they were posting. It's not that I didn't want to look at the photos, it's that photos are all well and good, if they are there for a reason (like to illustrate a point). Now though, I just find photos to be annoying. Especially since hardly anyone takes the time to describe their photos, and most people leave the codes that cameras give photos as their names, so my screen reader says random things like, "link graphic sc109237." Or some other random thing like that. Now, if there is a description (or a clue to the photos contents) in the title it's given, or the text of the post, then photos aren't as annoying. Anyway, what I'm basically trying to say is that photos are all well and good, but they need to be relevant to the post, and details about them for people who can't see them would be useful.

I love real photos, it gives me a peek into another life. Even the room in the background tells me things. Just a snoop I guess.I usually use a pic just cause it makes it more fun for me....like putting a super short book together or something! Ha! I am easily entertained.

I generally only use my own photos. I figure that they add a more personal tone and only use them when they are relevant to the blog entry. Sometimes the picture even inspires the post. There are many a day where not a picture is to be found as well. As someone noted though, it's your blog and you can do what you want with it.

I really don't want a picture unless it's truly relevant and part of the post - otherwise I just assume it's a filler because the writer didn't have much to say. (Which is the usually the case when I use a photo).

i'm an avid picture taker (wannabe photographer), so most of my posts will contain pictures. i only use pictures that i take and only if they illustrate the story. a picture of your swollen arm after a bee bite would be perfect and draw me to read your post.

but it's your blog and i don't believe there is a "right" way to blog.

Glad to know I'm not the only one blogging with no photographs. My focus is on content, and that is time-consuming. If I posted photos, too, I'd never get anything else done in my life. I think that a lack of photos signal "Content coming up!" Also, food photography isn't easy; lots of food that tastes and looks great doesn't photograph well. The pictures you see in food magazines aren't edible; they're made just for the camera.

About Me

It's a blog. I'll probably write stuff in it.
Me, I'm married, no kids, two cats, one boring job. My life isn't that exciting so I like to complicate things with overthinking, health issues, and anxiety attacks. I also enjoy reading, writing, travel (if I could control the anxiety attacks), wine, hockey, and music. And long walks on the beach. And a sugar daddy.